Lech Walesa snubs Obama

White House deputy national security adsviser Ben Rhodes was asked about Walesa on the Air Force One flight from France to Poland. Here's what he had to say:

"He was invited by President Komorowski. President Obama would welcome the opportunity to meet with him."

"My understanding is ... he has an engagement in Italy."

"It's a scheduling matter that they are looking at."

This is our earlier post:

Lech Walesa, the former Polish president who launched the national Solidarity movement that helped bring down communism in Poland in the 1980s, isn't willing to meet with President Obama, who will be touching down in Poland shortly.

"This time a meeting does not suit me," the famously prickly Walesa told Polish TVN24.

It was unclear why Walesa snubbed the president and the White House has not commented. But the Associated Press reported that he may have been offended at not being offered a one-on-one meeting with Obama or angry because Obama didn't offer to travel to Walesa's home in northern Poland, as other leaders have.

During his two-day stay in Poland, Obama will meet with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski and will hold discussions on issues from energy policy to promoting democracy in North Africa and elsewhere. He also will visit Warsaw's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Monument to Ghetto Heroes and hold a press conference with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

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About David Jackson

David's journalism career spans three decades, including coverage of five presidential elections, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 2000 Florida presidential recount and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has covered the White House for USA TODAY since 2005. His interests include history, politics, books, movies and college football -- not necessarily in that order. More about David